Pile



2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Nov. 2, 1954 M. J. QUILLINAN PILES Filed Feb. 5, 1952 Zmoentor Nov. 2, 1954 M. J. QUILLINAN FILES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

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WM 7%: W 2? 7/ 7 Z? a. 7 z w m United States Patent Gflice 2,693,087 Patented Nov. 2, 1954 PILE Michael J. Quillinan, Jackson Heights, N. Y. Application February 5, 1952, Serial No. 269,935 15 Claims. (Cl. 61-78) This invention relates to pile construction and to a method of forming and driving a pile.

Briefly, the pile is formed from a continuous strip of sheet metal, the upper edge (Figure l) of which is flanged outwardly and downwardly, and the lower edge of which is flanged inwardly and upwardly. After the flanges are formed, a pile tip is formed on one end of the strip, and the strip is then coiled, the successive sections of the coil being in resilient engaging relationship through the intermediation of spring means suspended between outer sections of the coil. The pile is driven by a mandrel acting on the tip, and as the tip of the pile is driven downwardly, the coil is drawn out into a spiral to form the casing of a pile, hereinafter referred to as the pile. As the pile is driven, the pile coils twist with a corkscrew action. After the pile is completely extended so that the flanges on the upper and lower edges of the coil are interlocked, the mandrel is withdrawn and the interior of the pile is filled with concrete or other suitable mixture, or if the soil is of the proper type, the pile may be withdrawn and the hole filled with reinforced concrete, concrete, sand, cinder fill or similar foundation material.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction of the above character which is simple, practical and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be manufactured from inexpensive materials and occupies a minimum of space prior to use. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be easily and economically handled. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which is particularly strong and durable when driven. Another object is to provide a pile of the above character which has a high slenderness ratio and thus allows a greater load carrying capacity. Another object is to provide a pile of the above character which permits a pile having a maximum slenderness ratio to be used and yet possesses a higher degree of penetration per unit of driving force applied. Another object is to provide a pile of the above character, which, when driven downwardly into the ground, twists with a corkscrew action. Another object is to provide a new and improved method of forming and driving a pile. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts,-and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

Referring now to the drawings, in which are shown various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a coiled pile on an enlarged scale relative Figs. 2 and 3 in position for driving;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through a driven -mandrel, mandrel driving mechanism being diagrammatically illustrated;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken through a partially driven pile;

Figure 4 is an elevation of a driven pile, a portion of the pile being broken away to show the concrete fill within the pile;

Figure 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale 2. illustrating the connections between successive coils of a fully expanded pile;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 illustrating a modification of my invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an inverted portion of the modification shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the tip of the pile;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of a modified type of pile tip.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, the pile, generally indicated at 10, is formed from a strip of relatively heavy sheet metal. The upper edge of the strip is flanged outwardly and downwardly as at 33, and the lower edge of the strip is flanged inwardly and upwardly, as at 32, as viewed in Figure 1. Next, one end of the strip 11 is shaped to form the pile tip 12, after which the strip 11 is coiled about the pile tip (Figure 1). It will be noted that when the pile is completely fabricated, the flanges abut against successive coils in the pile. This insures interlocking of the flanges when the pile is expanded. This interlocking action is further assured by the spring 70 which connects the terminal 71 of the coiled strip to the preceding coiled sector 72, as viewed in Fig. 4, the spring 70 being suspended between holes 61 in the coil sectors.

The pile shown in Figures l-3 is driven by a mandrel generally shown at 13 in Figure 2. The tip of the mandrel bears against a wood cushion member 14, the lower surface of which is shaped to fit the conicallyshaped tip of the pile. This wood cushion member 14 evently distributes the driving force of the mandrel 13 to the tip. To protect pile tip 12, a metal cap 16 of substantial thickness is provided. This cap is of conical shape and has a hole 17 extending through its apex. A bolt 18 extends through hole 17 and through a hole in the apex of the pile tip. The bolt 18 is of suflicient length to extend through a hole in Wood cushion member 14 and is secured to cushion member 14 by nuts 21 and 19 positioned in a hole 22 in member 14, and on the under portion of member 14, respectively. The cushion member 14 in turn is secured to the lower end of metal cap 16 by a button 20 on the lower extremity of bolt 18 as the latter clears hole 17.

As described hereinabove, the pile is driven by a mandrel 13. After the pile has been placed upon the ground, the tip of mandrel 13 is placed in driving position with respect to the wood cushion member 14 in the tip of the pile. The pile is then driven by any suitable type of pile driver. To diagrammatically illustrate such mechanism, a ring 23 (Fig. 2) is connected to the upper end of the mandrel 13 and supports a framework including rods 24, cylinder 25, piston 26 and hammer 27. The piston 26 is connected to hammer 27 by a piston rod 28, hammer 27 being mounted for vertical movement on rods 24. An intermittent source of fluid under compression is connected to the space 29 beneath piston 26 by means of pipe 30, and is used to raise hammer 27 and then permit it to drop, striking the upper end of mandrel 13.

As the upper end of the mandrel 13 is struck, the tip of the pile is driven into the ground, and as it moves downwardly, the tip draws successive tapered coils 51, 52', 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57 of the coiled pile after it. It will be noted that the cap 16 is rotatably mounted upon the pile tip by bolt 18. This permits the tip of the pile to rotate with respect to the cap. It will be seen, therefore, that as succeeding sections of the coil progressively mate, the pile, by twisting as it expands, reduces the coils resistance to penetration. The pile cap, being rotatable relative to the coiled sector of the pile, allows the normal penetrating effect of such constructions without pile tip skin friction reducing the efficiency gained by the corkscrew action. Moreover, progressively more of the shell contacts the mandrel as the pile is driven. The mandrel exerts downward force only to that part of the pile which is already in the ground. Thus, the energy losses inherent in other pile constructions where in mandrel force is applied to pile sectors above and beaces-ps7 low the ground are avoided. Substantially all of the soil, in my invention, receives the etfect or the driving force of the mandrel throughout the pile length. Also, as progressively more ofthe shell contactsthe mandrel when the pile is being driven, by providing the aforementioned rotatable cap and cushion member, the pile shell may rotate about the mandrel in the corkscrew action and still receive the driving force appliedto it efliciently. In certain type of soil in order to p'revent the outer section 57 (Figure 1 of the eoiled shell from entering the ground, it is connected to the rigging of the pile driver in any suitable rnanner. I

The mandrel is driven until the pile is fully extended (Figure 3-), at which time flanges on all .of the coils have interlocked. The connecting spring 70 n aintains the respective coils yieldable axially and rotatably during the extension of the pile. A A I Should a high degree of waterti'ghtnessbe required, a seal at the points where the flanges interlockis provided. The flange 32 on the lower edge of the coil is preferably filled with a waterproofing material. Thus, theflange 33 on the upper edge of the coil s eat's itself in thewaterproofing material in flangeiiz as thecoil sections progressively are extended, forming a seal. Thltlls, when the pile is completely driven it is water fig Also it should be noted that the flange 33 tapers on as at 50 to provide a gradual seat for flange 32. Next the mandrel 13 is removed and the interior of the pile is filled with concrete 34 or other suitable reinforc'ing material (Figure 4). To aid in driving the pile by loosening the soil beneath the flanges a series of teeth 35 are preferably stamped in the lower edge of flange 32 of a strip from which a pile is to be formed. When the pile isforr'ned, these teeth project downwardly (Figures 6 and 7) from the flange 32 on the lower edge of the pile, and as the coils twist during driving, the teeth 35 bite into and loosen the soil to aid flange '36 infmovi'ng 'downwar'd- 1y, thus increasing the effectiveness of the corkscrew action. These teeth also are important in that they engage and work small stone's, such as stories 37 (Figur'es 2, 3 and 4), out of the path of the pile.

In certain types of soil, it is possible to"drive a. pile and then remove it, leaving a hole which may b'e filled with reinforced concrete or other material. The present pile is very well suited for 'this ty pie or work, and when used for this purpose, preferably has a tip of the type shown in Figure 9. This type. of tip is similar in construction to the tip jshown in Figure 1, with the exception that the cap' 38 includes both a conical portion 38a and a cylindrical portion 38b embracing coil section Sliz. Furthermore, the wood cushion member 39 within the interior of the pile is of substantially/greater depth than the block shown 'inFigure l and is provided with a recess 40 into which bolt '41 extends. Bolt 41 is secured 'to the, tip by "eans o'f "nuts 42 and 43 and button 20a, and has .a hook '44 formed on its upper end. After a "pile of this type has been driven, suitable mechanism is connected .to hook 44, and the pile is withdrawn from the ground. This action is simplified in thepresent type .of pile because the p'ile is a spirally extended coil. Thus, at first, the'only force resisting removal of. the pile is the skin friction gripping the lowermost portion of the pile and then successively higher sections as the pile is drawn back into its c'oil'ed form (Figure 1). After the pile has been removed, the hole can be filled with reinforced concrete, concrete, sand, cinder fill, or similar foundation material.

Thus, a new and improved type of pile has 'b'e'en described which has aneq'ual if not higher, degree of penetration than ordinary pileshjaving lower slendernes's ratios. This is the result of the twisting or corkscrew action of the pile as it is driven. Because of this corkscrew action, a pile of greater. slenderness ratio than any existing pile may be used under any given set of conditions. Thus, the pile willhave a greater load capacity than present-day piles. The fact that this pile permits greater slenderness ratios to be used also permits the overall length of a pile to be decreased. This results in savings both in the size of pile used an'd in the pile driving operation. Furthermore. because 'of the spiral flange on the 'external surfacejof a driven fnile, greater Sign friction r'e'sults, ancithus the sup? ting load for a given length of pile is 'gresn iaereaseaever the standard types of pile now being used.

It will be noted that the pile described hereinabove may be readily and inexpensively fabricated and that when once fabricated is very economical to ship and to handle. Furthermore, it is of rugged construction and cannot be damaged in handling. The pile is simple to drive and when driven is exceedingly strong, as each section in the spiral coil supports those adjacent to it, and furthermore, the interlocked flanges form a spiral reinforcing rib. Thus, a practical and efi'icient pile has been described in which the several objects hereinabove described have been successfully accomplished."

As many possible embodiments may be made. of the mechanical features of the above invention, and'as the art herein described might be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

whatis'clairnedisp, H v I 1. In a pile, in combination, 'a 'pile tipga "stripcoiled coaxially about and connected at its inner 'extrerriity to continuous 'convolutions of said stri' being successivelycircumjacerit and 'axiaily displace respect to one another, "theconvolutio'n's 'pro'gr 'Wai 'dl m a d ti 'n' e s ve y a e 'd ai s means connecting the outermost co'nvoftion 'o strip to an inner adjacent fconvolutionthe wh by said strip may be'laid on the ground and i b driven by driving force applied 1"" successive inner convolutions' s distended axially, each o'fsaid 'co K I F respect to outer adjacent 'convol u'tio'ns as said pile is driven. I r r r i 2. In a pile, in combination-, 'a pile tip, a s'tiip' c'dilil coaxially about and connected at its inner extr the' pile tip and having an outwardly extending *flange its upper'edge 'ange and an inwardly "extending ii "lower edge, continuous convolutions 'of said "strip being successively circumjacent and axially displaceablewith respect to one another, the 'con'volutions p'ro'gr 'si wardly from said tip in successively l'arg'er "d' r "and means connecting the outermost convolution 15- said strip 'to 'an inner adjacent convolution th'ereo w ereby said strip may be laid on the ground' and s'aid' pil'e ay He driven by driving force applied against said p'il'e' tip and successive inner convolutions of said s'trip' -as" said strip is distended axially, each 'ofsaid'convolutions twisting with respect to outer adjacent conv'olutions as "said pile is driven. a

3, 'In a pile, in combination, 'a pile tipya strip coile'd coaxiall-y about and connected at its inner'extremity to the pile tip, continuous convolutions 'of said strip being suc- "cessively circumjacent and axially displaceable with respect to, one another, the convolutions progressing outwardly from said tip in successively larger diameters; and spring means connecting the outermost convolution of :said'strip to an inner adjacent convolution thereof, where- 'by said strip may be laidon the ground and said pile may be driven by driving force --applied against, said pile tip and successive inner convolutionspof said strip assaid strip is distended axially, each of saidconvoiutions'twisting Withmeepeet to outer adjacent 'convolutions as said pile is driven. h a

4. In a pile, in combination, a-pi'le tip, astrip d o'iled coaxially about and connected at, its innterextremitysto the pile tip, continuous convolutions ofsaid strip being successively circumjacent and axially displaceable with respect to one another, the convolutions progressing fo'utwardly from said tip in successively larger diameters, means connecting the outermost convolution of said strip to an inner adjacent convolution thereof, whereby said strip may be laid on the ground and said pile-may be driven by driving force applied against said pile-tip and successive inner convolutions of said strip as said s'tr'ip is distended axially, eachof said conv'olutio'ns twistingw'ith respect to outer adjacent convolutions as s id "pile is driven, and hook rneansoperatiyely connected-t6, said pile 'tip, said hook means being positioned within said 1e and permitting said pile to be withdrawn from 'tnegrauna after it has been driven.

5. Ina pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal, nieansforming a pile tip on i I v rnne'riend 'c'oil'ed strip. the axis 'of said pil e"tip being-align the axis 9f said coiled strip, ailange formed ofntl:ietipp edge of said-strip eateadn 'snre'v'aeary and downwardly,

I a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly and upwardly, said flanges being moved into interlocking relationship as the pile is formed, means forming a cap on said pile tip, and a cushion member formed within said pile tip, whereby said coiled strip may be laid on the ground and said pile driven through a mandrel acting against said pile tip, said mandrel drawing said coiled strip out into a spiral to form a pile.

6. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said coiled strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with the axis of said coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly and downwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly and upwardly, said flanges being successively moved into interlocking relationship as the pile is formed, Waterproofing material positioned in the groove of one of said flanges, said waterproofing material sealing the joint between said flanges when said flanges are moved into interlocking relationship, whereby said coiled strip may be laid on the ground and said pile driven through a mandrel acting against said pile tip, said mandrel drawing said coiled strip out into a spiral to form a pile.

7. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with respect to the axis of said coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly and downwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly and upwardly, said flanges being successively moved into interlocking relationship as a pile is driven, and spring means connecting the outer end of said strip to said coil, said last-mentioned means holding said flanges in engagement with successive coils of said coiled strip, whereby said coiled strip may be laid on the ground and said pile driven through a mandrel acting against said pile tip, said mandrel drawing said coiled strip out into a spiral to form a pile.

8. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said coiled strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with the axis of said coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly and downwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly and upwardly, said flanges being moved into interlocking relationship when the pile is formed, and means forming teeth extending downwardly from the lower edge of the flange formed on the lower edge of said strip, whereby said coiled strip may be laid on the ground and said pile driven through a mandrel acting against said pile tip, into the ground and said flange causing said pile to rotate with a corkscrew action, whereby said teeth loosen the soil beneath said flange.

9. In a pile of the type described in claim 8 wherein the pile tip includes a cap rotatable with respect to the pile, the coiled strip rotating with respect to the cap as the pile is driven.

10. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal widening in a taper progressively toward its outer end, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with respect to the axis of said coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly, said flanges being moved into interlocking relationship as a pile is driven, and spring means connecting the outer end of said strip to an outer convolution of said coil, said last-mentioned means holding said flanges in engagement with successive coils of said coiled strip, whereby said coiled strip may be laid on the ground and said pile driven through a mandrel acting against said pile tip, said mandrel drawing said coiled strip out into a spiral to form a pile.

said mandrel driving said pile tip 11. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal widening in a taper progressively toward its end, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said coiled strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with the axis of said coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly and downwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly and upwardly, said flanges being moved into interlocking relationship when the pile is formed, and means forming teeth extending downwardly from the lower edge of the flange formed on the lower edge of said strip, whereby said coiled strip may be laid on the ground and said pile driven through a mandrel acting against said pile tip, said mandrel driving said pile into the ground and said flange causing said pile tip to rotate with a corkscrew action, whereby said teeth loosen the soil beneath said flange.

12. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet metal, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said coiled strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with the axis of said coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly, said flanges in interlocking relationship one above the other respectively along said coil, the latter being characterized by a helical progression of its portions upward and outward along the length of the pile, means forming teeth extending downwardly from the lower edge of the flange formed on the lower edge of said strip.

13. In a pile, in combination, a coiled strip of sheet material, means forming a pile tip on the inner end of said coiled strip, the axis of said pile tip being aligned with the axis of the coiled strip, a flange formed on the upper edge of said strip extending outwardly and downwardly, a flange formed on the lower edge of said strip extending inwardly and upwardly, said flanges in interlocking relationship one above the other respectively along said coil, the latter characterized by a helical progression of its portions upward and outward along the length of the pile, means forming teeth extending downwardly from the lower edge of the flange formed on the lower edge of said strip.

14. The method of making an expandable pile having an elongated strip of sheet metal comprising providing a pile tip on one end of said strip, providing a first flange along a substantial portion of an elongated edge of said strip commencing at a point adjacent said pile tip, said first flange projecting in the direction of said pile tip from the plane of said strip, providing another flange adapted to mate with said first flange on an edge opposite said elongated edge and projecting in a direction opposite to that of said first flange, coiling said strip about said pile tip so that successive outer coil sections progressively contain adjacent inner coil sections, the axis of the pile tip aligned with the axis of the coil sections.

15. The method according to claim 14 having the further step of suspending spring means between an outer coil section and an adjacent inner coil section whereby said coil sections are resiliently related with respect to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,342,424 Cotten June 8, 1920 1,654,644 Goldsborough Jan. 3, 1928 1,769,774 Denise et al. July 1, 1930 1,865,658 Watt July 5, 1932 2,371,784 Titcomb et al Mar. 20, 1945 

